Many people all over the world have a variety of issues that affect their food choices on a daily basis. This can be a result of numerous things such as medical conditions, allergies, religious and social concerns or other health issues. Listed below are a few of the medical conditions and allergies that affect people’s lives, along with some information about the condition. GLUTEN FREE:

Gluten Free, also known as ‘Celiac Disease’, is one of the most common genetic diseases in the world. Nearly 3 million people have it although most are not aware of it. Being a protein molecule, Gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley, meaning the sufferer cannot eat foods or drinks (unless labelled ‘Gluten Free’) such as bread, beer, cookies, crackers, pasta, cake, lollies and gravy, just to name a few. However, there are more and more gluten free products being created all the time, easing the deprivation from most common foods. LACTOSE FREE AND NON-DAIRY:

Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Many people are intolerant to this sugar, restricting them from consuming any dairy products. Lactose intolerance is caused by the deficiency of the enzyme ‘Lactase’. People that are intolerant to lactose will experience some or all of the following symptoms after consuming dairy products: abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea. VEGAN:

People who choose not to eat any animal by-products are known as ‘Vegans’. This can be a result of health or medical conditions, environmental/ political/ moral/ ethical/ religious views. This means the Vegan cannot consume foods such as dairy products or eggs. SULFITE FREE:

Sulfite is found in many common processed foods/beverages like breads and soups. Most bakeries don’t make their own dough anymore – they use frozen bread that contains sulfite conditioner. This means that sulfite-free people can no longer trust breads from bakeries or even the crust of a pizza! There are also sulfites found in lemon or limes juices. Sulfite can also be found under names such as sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite.
Yeast is a fungus that lives inside the body, mainly in the intestines, mouth, throat and genital tract. They normally live in healthy balance, however, when the balance is upset, it can result in infection. The fungus will then travel all over the body, releasing its toxins as it goes. Experts say that one third of the people that live in industrial nations suffer from diseases related to yeast infections. Yeast-free people should steer clear of processed carbohydrates, refined sugars, and dairy products except live cultured yogurt. Smoked, dried, pickled or cured foods, yeast, mushrooms, nut butter (except almond butter), fruit juices, dried or candied fruit and coffee, black tea, caffeine, carbonated drinks and alcohol should also be removed from the sufferer’s diet. This is because the fungus that causes the infections lives on carbohydrates, preserved refined food, and foods that contain yeast and gluten.